Bali Shipping Guide
Complete guide to shipping from Bali: the numbers and decisions behind every shipment
By Sasha, ExportBali Sourcing Agency. Updated July 2026
The internet gives you a lot of vague, outdated, or incomplete information about shipping from Bali. This guide covers the real picture: current costs, realistic timelines, the cargo options, and the mistakes that delay shipments and cost money.
FCL vs LCL, making the right choice
This guide explains how freight from Bali works. If you want to know what I actually arrange on your behalf, read shipping and logistics from Bali.
Full Container Load (FCL). You pay for and fill an entire container. A 20ft holds approximately 25–28 CBM; a 40ft holds 55–60 CBM. Best when your shipment is 15+ CBM, you want dedicated container security, or you need faster transit.
Less than Container Load (LCL). Your goods share a container. Priced per CBM. Best when your shipment is under 10–15 CBM.
The rule of thumb: If your shipment is more than 60% of a 20ft container, FCL is usually cheaper per CBM. Below that, LCL makes more economic sense.
Approximate shipping times from Bali
| Destination | Sea freight | Air freight |
|---|---|---|
| Germany / Netherlands | 28–35 days | 5–8 days |
| UK | 28–35 days | 5–8 days |
| France / Spain | 28–35 days | 5–8 days |
| Australia (east coast) | 10–18 days | 3–5 days |
| Australia (west coast) | 8–14 days | 3–4 days |
| USA (west coast) | 20–28 days | 5–7 days |
| USA (east coast) | 30–38 days | 6–9 days |
| UAE / Middle East | 15–22 days | 4–6 days |
Times from Bali port to destination port. Add customs clearance and last-mile delivery at your end.
These are the sea and air routes out of the island. Shipping from Bali sets out how a shipment moves from workshop to port to your warehouse.
Approximate freight costs, mid-2026
Freight rates fluctuate. Get a fresh quote and don’t rely on figures from 6 months ago:
- FCL 20ft to Australia: USD 900–2,000
- FCL 20ft to Europe: USD 2,500–4,500
- FCL 20ft to USA West Coast: USD 2,000–4,000
- LCL per CBM (most destinations): USD 80–180 plus origin charges
I don’t mark up freight costs. You pay what my cargo partner quotes. My fee is the sourcing commission, not inflated shipping.
Documentation every shipment needs
Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, bill of lading. Timber products: add phytosanitary certificate and fumigation certificate. Stone and ceramics: standard commercial documentation only. I prepare all of it, and export documentation explains what that involves.
Paperwork and freight are two halves of the same job. Exporting from Bali covers how the two fit together on a real order.
Packing matters more than most buyers realise
Stone products are particularly vulnerable to poor packing. I’ve seen beautiful stone carvings arrive broken because of inadequate bracing. Good packing involves individual wrapping of fragile items, wooden crating for heavy stone, proper container bracing, and weight distribution management (heavy below, light above).
I supervise packing for all my clients’ FCL shipments. It is the stage most people forget about, and the one that decides whether goods arrive intact.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own freight forwarder?
Yes. Many experienced importers have existing freight relationships they prefer. I’m happy to hand over to your forwarder for the sea freight leg. I handle the Bali export side regardless.
Can I ship samples before the full order?
Yes. Small sample boxes go by DHL, FedEx or similar international courier. A typical 5–10kg sample box costs USD 50–120 to most destinations. I arrange this regularly.
Get a shipping quote
Tell me the CBM estimate, destination, and timeline. I’ll get you a current number within 24–48 hours.